Derek Alyre Boudreau, who records under the name Alyre, has created a highly emotional CD with the songs found on Fetterman Ave. Most of these songs express desperation over romantic issues. In Alyre’s musical world, there is no such thing as an average, uneventful day. Instead, lovers walk on the edge where happiness or misery might be just one false footstep away.

The title track, the most structurally adventurous piece on the album, begins with a musical figure that hearkens back to the progressive rock era. But before long, it switches to a guitar riff that sounds a whole lot like Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit”, albeit without all the driving grunge feedback. Alyre is an effective singer, but Katrina is even more of a pleasure to listen to. She reaches for similar emotional pressure points, but her singing is just naturally prettier.

Alyre plays guitar, bass and drums on this release. And while he is a passable player with each of these instruments, he also doesn’t particularly excel at any of them. For instance, when he takes a guitar solo on “You’re Not Alone”, you may find yourself wishing for a little more fiery fretwork in order to give the track that extra oomph it needs. Instead, Alyre plays a rather pedestrian acoustic guitar solo on it. There are no standout bass lines on any of these songs, and while he may not be Keith Moon on the drums, he never plays anything to embarrass himself.

Alyre also produced this CD, along with Vivian Scaturro and Rich Krostek, and it sounds excellent throughout. There is crispness in the instrumentation that makes every instrument, and nearly every note, stand out. Diehard rockers might think it a little too clean sounding, but it would be better to frame this as a pop offering, with extra rock edge, rather than the other way around. It’s also worth noting that each track flows into the next, without a silence break between songs.

Lyrically, this disc comes off a little too much like a one trick pony. Alyre has obviously been hurt in a relationship, and that pain comes through on each and every track. If listeners have recently experienced that same sort of heartbreak, Fetterman Ave is a feast. But for those not now or recently embroiled in post breakup blues, all these we-done-us-wrong songs may be a little much. Derek’s spirituality shows through most clearly during the folk-ish “Back Home”, which is sung with Alyre’s regular female vocal partner, Katrina. Lyrically, it appears to be Alyre’s appeal for an angel to come down to Earth and help him. Katrina plays the role of the angel on it. This song, with its acoustic guitar part, is one of the least rock & roll cuts on the album.

Fetterman Ave is good, but it would have been better if Alyre had had the benefit of a few more musical collaborators. Nevertheless, a little professional musical spark goes a long way in brightening good recordings, and had there been a few instrumental ringers, these songs would have really come alive. One might also like to see Alyre widen his lyrical palette a tad the next time out. A speck of humor here, or a touch of a third person perspective there, would have given this disc some much-needed lyrical variety. With that said, however, Alyre is a talented artist, with a bright future.

Review by Dan MacIntosh

Dan MacIntosh, Reviews Alyre, Fetterman Ave

Alyre’s debut album Fetterman Ave harnesses that distinct Jersey vibe, known only and found only in the special makings of New Jersey artists.  This unique edge invokes passion, drive and ultimate listen ability.  While Alyre possesses all of these traits, his overuse of heavy electric guitars, mixed with his own thin tenor voice lacks the definitive power punch.

“Blonde Hair and Broken Hearts” features a wall of heavy crunching guitars and unfortunately Alyre’s voice is not strong enough to carry it through.  The timbre of his vocals is not a good mix with harsh tones.  The other pitfall of this tune is that the strings clash with the guitars as well.

Joining Alyre on his debut is Katrina, who sings a duet as the voice of an angel in “Come Down To Me,” but the beautiful spell these two artists cast in the beginning of the song is broken when an onslaught of garage rock noise overtakes them.  It is fitting to use instrumentation to aid in telling the musical story but not at the expense of overwhelming both the vocals and the message.

To make up for this, the two singers work well together in the title track with Katrina on backup vocals adding sweetness to the song with her lovely harmonies.  The bongos open the number creating a chill, jamming coffeehouse flavor.  The electric guitar is used sparingly between phrases and the acoustic work in the bridge with the bongo introit is great.  With the different overlapping layers it is disappointing that the coda is truncated.

Alyre’s best performance is “I Will Stay” where he sings in a call and response format with himself with excellent dovetailing effect.  The string work is much more tasteful and the acoustic guitar solo in the bridge is well executed.  Alyre however does fall into the trap of trying to sing too dramatically and loses his center of pitch on occasion.

The most radio friendly number is “Help Me” with its retro 90’s innocent pop melody.  The quick lyrics and cute acoustic back up is reminiscent of Smash Mouth and holds true to the adage that less is more.  Alyre’s vocals sound comfortable and not strained in the least with all of the acoustic work nicely complimenting the song.

“You’re Not Alone” is on the album as a full production number and as an acoustic version, with the latter being better.  When Alyre is not drowned out by loud guitars that cover his vocals, his true qualities are able to shine more.  Like Mark Wahlberg’s troubled character Chris Cole, in the rock movie “Rock Star,” Alyre does better with less show and sounds more natural and believable in an acoustic setting.  With his raw talent and Jersey roots, he could do more with his music by branching out and trying different musical ideas with his songs.

Review by Kelly O’Neil

Kelly O'Neil, Reviews Alyre, Fetterman Ave